We'll Not Release Original Tape - ICGC

The International Central Gospel Church (ICGG) has said it is not obliged to release the original tape of Dr. Mensah Otabil’s sermon on education and other matters.

The General Overseer of ICGC, Pastor Otabil has come under heavy public attack when portions of his sermons were released in the media condemning the much-touted free Senior High School education policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other smaller parties contesting the December 7 elections.

He however had a media briefing on Monday and called on President John Mahama to call his party members to order on what he described as a manipulation of his sermons for political gains.

There have since been calls for the church to release the original tape to authenticate his claim that those sermons were doctored.

But speaking to Citi News, a Senior Associate Pastor of the church, Rev Kofi Okyere insisted the church would not be pressured to take such a path which is likely to complicate matters.

“The simplicity of the matter is that they are using Doc’s [Otabil] voice without permission. He doesn’t want his voice being used like that so we are asking them to stop it,” he said.

“Now they are making it seem that he [Otabil] has no integrity and is a coward. That is not fair. Just stop using it,” he noted.

Rev Okyere maintained that “The onus does not lie on us to bring the tape. We don’t want to go back and forth with this. Don’t use it and you are insulting him. It’s not fair. The fact that he has produced an album and it is being sold on the market doesn’t mean anyone can use it anyhow. We think they are not using it well and should quit it.”

“If they don’t want to stop, it’s up to them. They can do whatever they want. We will not take it to court. We leave it for God,” he added.